Sold Out in 2018

About the event

SEPT. 20–22THE WESTIN LOMBARDCHICAGO, IL

Connect and boost your auto care shop with the best and brightest operators Sept. 20–22 at the only industry event geared to introduce game-changing strategies.

This year's Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference will have brand new content and will be more personalized and in-depth than ever before. And when you register this year, you'll also be given access to Ratchet+Wrench's exclusive Facebook group where you can continue your conversations and get answers to questions.

30+Strategy Sessions

SUPERCHARGEDNetworking and Fun

UNLIMITEDOpportunities For Growth

Bonus: When you register, you will be given access to our private Facebook group where you can connect with other shop operators and continue the discussion.

WHO CAN ATTEND

All auto care shop decision-makers—from owners and managers to service writers and CSRs.

agenda

Get ready for a life- and business-changing experience. Our agenda features an eclectic mix of activities designed to keep you engaged and energized throughout the conference. This includes strategy sessions delivered straight from successful shop operators, thought-provoking discussions, fun and carefully crafted networking events, and a workshop taught by industry superstars. You’ll leave the conference with tested and validated processes you can implement the day you return to your shop, as well as new relationships with some of the brightest minds in the industry.

DAY ONE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Attendee Registration & Badge Pickup

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

OPENING KEYNOTE: Joe Marconi - How I Did It +

To kick off Day 1 of the 2018 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference, RW columnist and shop operator Joe Marconi gives the opening “How I Did It” keynote, the first piece in a series that carries over throughout the event’s Ratchet+Wrench Talks. The “How I Did It” series is an introspective look at the success stories of some of the industry’s top operators. Marconi’s own empowering and motivating journey through the ranks of the industry serves as a powerful message as to the opportunity this field can provide—and a clear pathway for others to follow.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Networking Break

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

TECH Shop of the Future +

Inside the advanced technology, innovative solutions and sophisticated strategies that have simplified workflow and customer communication for Buckley’s Auto Care, the 52-year-old, family business that serves as one of the industry’s most progressive operations.

You will learn:

How to identify technology that will help you streamline the customer service experience

How to implement processes and procedures that optimize technology to boost overall efficiency

WORKFLOW Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Rissy Sutherland - How I Did It +

Industry entrepreneur Rissy Sutherland has opened more than 400 shops in her career as the executive for nearly a dozen automotive brands. This Talk is your opportunity to pick the brain of one of the industry’s foremost experts in shop operations.

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

TALENT The Apprenticeship Blueprint +

An insider’s guide to building a fully realized apprenticeship program that churns out high-quality employees—from what many industry consultants consider to be one of the best shop operators in the industry.

You will learn:

How to build a foundation for apprentices to thrive, from the moment they walk into your shop to the moment they become full-time professionals

The keys to creating a funnel to find potential apprentices that will be natural fits for your shop’s culture and standards

CUSTOMERS The Keys to Effective Rebranding +

Discover the essence of your brand—your shop’s DNA—and the keys needed to implement a strategic rebrand of your business, all from a shop owner who rebounded from his own failed rebrand to create a brand so strong it doubled net profit and annual revenue.

You will learn:

How to create a brand guide that highlights not only your shop’s story and vision, but also how to carry that out in all aspects of the business

How to create a road map that effectively outlines your vision, mission, story and brand promises—and that lends itself well to the short- and long-term goals of your company

WORKFLOWTECH Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Donny Seyfer - How I Did It +

Immediate past chairman of the Automotive Service Association, second-generation shop owner and executive officer of the National Automotive Service Task Force, Donny Seyfer breaks down his thoughts on the state of the industry.

CUSTOMERS Customers for Life +

Seventy percent of Americans said they were willing to spend more with companies that provided excellent customer service. Customer service is a brand differentiator—and in today’s competitive marketplace, here’s how one shop owner built a loyal client base.

You will learn:

How to turn one-time buyers into lifetime customers who have immense trust in your staff and its recommendations

How to make customers feel so special and well-cared for that they wouldn’t dream of straying from your shop

WORKFLOWLEAD Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Scott Brown - How I Did It +

At Scott Brown’s 2,000-square-foot shop, four bays manage to push through 1,300 cars per month and $4 million in annual revenue. Generating that kind of volume comes down to smart processes, maximum efficiency and the development of a shop culture that always puts the needs of the customer first.

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

Cocktails & Networking Hour +

Take a breather, grab a drink, and go back over notes from your sessions with other shop operators. This is also a great time to seek out the speakers and ask them follow-up questions.

5:00 pm - 6:30 PM

Kickoff Party +

Join us as we kickoff the conference with some fun, food and auto-driven networking—Chicago-style! If you like to mix a little fun with business, you won't want to miss this party.

Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft

DAY TWO: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

7:00 Am - 8:00 Am

Renowned speaker and millennial expert Jeff Butler will deliver the Day 2 keynote, leading a list of presenters that includes the industry’s top shop operators. Butler’s TEDx appearances have positioned him as a new, authoritative voice on hiring, retaining and leading the younger generation of workers. He has spoken for Fortune 500 companies, and helped businesses across the country with hiring.

Utilizing his own experience as a millennial working for some of the world’s fastest-charging startups and tech companies, Butler will speak to the auto service industry’s talent crisis and what attendees can do to attract millennials into their shops.

Sponsored by OEC RepairLink

8:00 Am - 8:45 Am

9:00 Am - 9:45 Am

LEAD Ensure Your Shop’s Future +

It’s nearly inevitable that shop owners will experience a time—planned or unplanned—when they can’t be at the shop. Having a thoughtful succession plan in place that provides for an orderly transition of both management and ownership is the only way to ensure that your business won’t suffer the consequences.

You will learn:

How to successfully valuate your business to ensure a smooth sale

The financial documents and business agreements that must be in place to create a seamless transition in ownership

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM

10:15 Am-11:00 Am

TALENT Hiring and Retaining Top Talent +

Finding talented, committed employees who fit within the culture of your shop isn’t easy, but it is essential if you want to grow. Hiring the wrong person can be costly, in both dollars and damage to your operation.

You will learn:

How to identify your true staffing needs and make your operation appealing to ideal candidates

How to conduct an interview that will provide the information you need and how to keep those star employees on board for the long haul

LEAD Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Aaron Stokes - How I Did It +

Aaron Stokes grew his business into a six-shop operation that is widely regarded as one of the top repair businesses in the country. Find out the secrets to his success and the simple takeaways you can implement.

11:15 Am-12:00 PM

TECH Earning a True Return on Investments +

Whether you’re investing in training, tools or marketing campaigns, you can trace the ROI on any business expense. You just need a system in place that tracks both your relationship with customers and the performance of your employees—here’s how you can do just that.

You will learn:

How to measure the ROI for any business expense

The financial terms you need to know to properly track your investments

LEAD Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Chris Cloutier - How I Did It +

From musician to software developer to radio DJ to shop owner, Chris Cloutier has approached each of his careers with a resourceful, entrepreneurial mindset—and after quadrupling sales of his now $1.2 million shop, it’s obvious the approach has worked.

12:15 PM - 1:00 Pm

Lunch & Learn

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Awards Ceremony

1:45 Pm - 2:30 Pm

WORKFLOW Maximum Profitability +

Time is the most valuable asset in your business; it’s the key to efficiency. And per one $1.6 million shop owner, efficiency has been the key to building and running a successful, sustainable and profitable business.

You will learn:

An understanding of your shop’s production capacity and how to fix process flaws and maximize sales

Easy steps to solve a drop in your efficiency and productivity numbers

TALENT Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Mike Davidson – How I Did It +

As the founder of the American Skilled Labor Association, which aims to bring shops and vocational centers together and increase apprenticeship programs across the country, Mike Davidson has a clear solution to the industry’s talent shortage

The sale of automotive parts has undergone a major shift over the past several years, especially through the channels of eBay and Amazon. Position your shop to succeed in the changing marketplace.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Networking Break

4:00 Pm - 5:00 Pm

Roundtable Discussions

5:00 Pm - 6:00 Pm

Cocktails & Networking Hour +

Take a breather, grab a drink, and go back over notes from your sessions with other shop operators. This is also a great time to seek out the speakers and ask them follow-up questions.

Sponsored by NAPA AutoCare

6:00 Pm - 8:30 Pm

The Big Networking Party +

This is your time to let loose after a long day of learning, courtesy of Kukui. We're going to the Carlisle for an eclectic dinner, while enjoying a "duel" with Felix and Fingers, Chicagoland's premier dueling piano troupe!

LEAD Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Ryan Clo – How I Did It +

Ryan Clo’s journey from struggling technician-turned-shop owner to one of the industry’s renowned leaders wasn’t just dotted with operational improvements and business growth. Clo’s unique story focuses on a progressive approach to work-life balance—a lesson for all that a vibrant bottom line starts with a healthy business owner.

11:15 Am-12:00 Pm

WORKFLOW Advanced Shop Financials +

An effective grasp on your business’s financials is the key to not only stability, but also growing your shop and expanding operations. Learn the advanced—yet simple—keys to understanding your top financial documents.

CUSTOMERS Facebook Revealed +

The free secret Facebook strategy that actually delivers new customers to your shop.

You will learn:

How to leverage the power of Facebook and get in front of your customers

Easy marketing campaigns that yield big returns

WORKFLOW Ratchet+Wrench Talk: Panel - The Keys to Expansion +

An inside look at the step-by-step, systematic approach to help make the expansion process as smooth as possible—from shop owners who have done so.

12:15 Pm - 1:00 Pm

Networking Lunch & Sponsor Giveaway

1:15 Pm - 3:15 Pm

WORKFLOW Workshop: Break Through Your Largest Bottleneck +

Every business, no matter its status or level of success, has issues that hold it back. Some are obvious; some aren’t. In this two-hour, action-packed workshop, you’ll work with Ratchet+Wrench columnists and industry superstars Aaron Stokes, Brian Sump and Rissy Sutherland to identify and fix your operation’s biggest issues.

Functioning as a true workshop, Stokes, Sump and Sutherland will help you:

Identify your business’s largest bottleneck

Formulate processes and action plans to correct the issues

Discover strategies and insight into the implementation process of your plan, including, but not limited to, leading through change, getting your team on board, making changes without disruption, and continued focus on improvement.

Stokes, Sump and Sutherland will be on the floor, answering one-on-one questions and workshopping ideas. Each will draw on their respective experiences in forming some of the industry’s most iconic operations in order to provide you with the solutions you need to push ahead.

3:30 Pm - 4:30 Pm

Cocktails & Networking Hour +

It’s been an action-packed three days. You’ve learned valuable insights and made new connections. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink before you head home to implement these strategies in your shop.

Happenings

In addition to the 30+ strategy sessions, there will be an unlimited number of opportunities to kick back and connect with other shop operators (including the speakers). Here are some core events that will get you started.

PRE-CONFERENCE MEET + GREETSEPTEMBER 19, 6:30 PM–8:30 PM

If you arrive early and have some free time Wednesday evening, come say hello to the Ratchet+Wrench team. We’ll be hanging out in the bar area of Harry Caray’s at the conference hotel.

KICKOFF PARTY
SEPTEMBER 20, 5:00 PM–6:30 PM

Join us as we kickoff the conference with some fun, food and auto-driven networking—Chicago-style! If you like to mix a little fun with business, you won't want to miss this party.

The Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Awards are sponsored by KIA, MAHLE and MobileSoft

THE BIG NETWORKING PARTY
SEPTEMBER 21, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM

This is your time to let loose after a long day of learning, courtesy of Kukui. We're going to the Carlisle for an eclectic dinner, while enjoying a "duel" with Felix and Fingers, Chicagoland's premier dueling piano troupe!

The Big Networking Party issponsored by KUKUI

COCKTAIL + NETWORKING HOURSSEPTEMBER 20–22, TIMES VARY

Take a breather, grab a drink, and go back over notes from your sessions with other shop operators. This is also a great time to seek out the speakers and ask them follow-up questions. Here's to the next step!

PRESENTATION THEATERSEPTEMBER 20–22, TIMES VARY

Located right in the Networking Plaza, you'll have the opportunity to see, first-hand, some of the latest and greatest in products and services in action. This year's lineup includes: